One person who read with great interest the news that Sen. Tom McClintock had decided to run for Congress in Northern California was his old Republican foil in the Legislature, former Sen. Cathie Wright of Simi Valley. The two served together in the Assembly from 1983 to 1990 and often clashed.

Wright, who left the state Senate in 2000 and was succeeded by McClintock, called me today to reminisce about McClintock and his past position on career politicians.

"I can still see him standing on the steps of Simi Valley City Hall touting term limits," she said. "You're not supposed to be an elected official for life -- except for him, of course."

Wright said she had been contacted to see if she had any interest in helping the campaign for McClintock's opponent in the 4th District GOP primary, former Congressman Doug Ose. But, as she approaches her 79th birthday, she said she doesn't have the time or interest in getting back involved in politics.